Case study · Industry

Biodiversity and nature under observation to protect the spring

San Pellegrino monitors biodiversity at the Acqua Panna Estate in Mugello with Spectrum sensors, satellite analysis and annual reports, measuring the direct link between ecosystem health and the protection of water resources.

Client: San Pellegrino
Sector: Industry

Without biodiversity, springs lose their natural protection

The mineral water sector impacts biodiversity through the alteration of water basins, spring capture and collection and distribution infrastructure, which modify the soil, fragment habitats and interfere with ecological corridors. The loss of pollinators, soil degradation and microclimate alteration compromise ecosystems' ability to regulate the hydrological cycle and maintain water quality. The sector depends on intact ecosystems for natural filtration, soil stability and climate regulation, fundamental for spring conservation.

The challenge

Demonstrating the link between biodiversity and water with scientific data

The Acqua Panna Estate lacked a structured monitoring system to convert its ecological richness into verifiable data, proving biodiversity protection safeguards the water resource. The company needed pollinator data as bioindicators , acoustic and satellite surveys, and ESG-compliant annual reports.

What we did

Bioacoustic sensors and satellite to measure the estate's health

XNatura launched a three-year project with IoT, satellite analysis and scientific protocols to monitor estate biodiversity.

In the field

How we did it

From satellite to field

A three-year project starting from satellite analysis of the estate and arriving at continuous pollinator monitoring as bioindicators of environmental quality.

012 Spectrum sensors in the estate2 Spectrum sensors installed for continuous bioacoustic monitoring of pollinators across the entire Acqua Panna Estate. Each sensor detects and classifies species through sound analysis, producing data on cluster classification, abundance, diversity and seasonal trends across the whole estate area.
02Remote analysis of the entire estateSatellite analysis with Remote Sensing to map vegetation cover, land use, floral availability and habitat suitability, comparing the site with neighbouring control areas and monitoring evolution over time. The analysis defined the ecological baseline to measure the naturalistic value of the context.
03XNatura platform and annual reportsAll data flows into the XNatura Environmental Platform, integrating satellite analysis, bioacoustic readings from Spectrum sensors and environmental data. San Pellegrino has a dedicated dashboard with indicators on biodiversity, microclimate, climate risks and ecosystem status, and annual reports demonstrating the link between biodiversity conservation and sustainable management of the estate's water resources.
04Active regeneration and monitoring expansionConsolidation of three-year data into a biodiversity strategy for the estate. The goal is to expand the sensor network, integrate bird and amphibian monitoring, and launch targeted regeneration interventions in the most critical areas, building a replicable model for the mineral water sector.

What the data says

The monitoring data

The 9 protected areas identified within 10 km of the site confirm the ecological value of the context in which the estate is located, while the 547 flora and fauna detections document the biological richness of the area. This data forms the scientific basis for the annual reports and for guiding future biodiversity and water resource protection strategies.

Monitoring in action

Key sections of the XNatura Environmental Platform dedicated to the Acqua Panna Estate.

State of biodiversityEstate biodiversity indices: Mean Species Abundance, natural habitat coverage, floral availability, nesting sites and proximity to protected areas.

MicroclimateMicroclimatic variations in the estate area: surface temperature, humidity, heat islands and environmental parameters to assess ecosystem status.

Aridity riskDrought and water stress risk analysis: aridity index, precipitation trends and impact on ecosystems and water resources of the estate.

Hydrogeological riskHydrogeological risk analysis of the area: landslides, erosion, flooding and site vulnerability assessment for planning conservation interventions.

The platform

Access the XNatura Environmental Platform

The platform with which San Pellegrino monitors biodiversity and environmental quality at the Acqua Panna Estate in Mugello.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What was the environmental challenge at San Pellegrino?

Without biodiversity, springs lose their natural protection. The mineral water sector impacts biodiversity through the alteration of water basins, spring capture and collection and distribution infrastructure, which modify the soil, fragment habitats and interfere with ecological corridors. The loss of pollinators, soil degradation and microclimate alteration compromise ecosystems' ability to regulate the hydrological cycle and maintain water quality. The sector depends on intact ecosystems for natural filtration, soil stability and climate regulation, fundamental for spring conservation.

What method did XNatura use at San Pellegrino?

A three-year project starting from satellite analysis of the estate and arriving at continuous pollinator monitoring as bioindicators of environmental quality.

What data came out of the San Pellegrino project?

The data comes from the XNatura Environmental Platform and the 2 Spectrum sensors installed at the Acqua Panna Estate. The 3,036 pollinators were detected through bioacoustic analysis and classified into 18 distinct clusters, providing a detailed picture of the diversity and abundance of species present in the area. The 9 protected areas identified within 10 km of the site confirm the ecological value of the context in which the estate is located, while the 547 flora and fauna detections document the biological richness of the area. This data forms the scientific basis for the annual reports and for guiding future biodiversity and water resource protection strategies.

What access does San Pellegrino have to the XNatura platform now?

The platform with which San Pellegrino monitors biodiversity and environmental quality at the Acqua Panna Estate in Mugello.

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